alogía

Alogia is a term used in psychology and psychiatry to describe a deficit in spontaneous verbal output. It is not a standalone diagnosis but rather a symptom that can be associated with various conditions, most notably schizophrenia. Individuals experiencing alogia may speak very little, provide brief and vague answers to questions, or produce speech that is empty of meaningful content. This can manifest as a poverty of speech or a poverty of content.

The poverty of speech aspect refers to the reduced quantity of verbal output, where a person may respond with only one or two words or short phrases. Poverty of content, on the other hand, describes speech that is grammatically correct and of normal length but lacks meaningful information, often being repetitive or vague. Alogia can significantly impact social interaction and daily functioning, making communication difficult for both the individual experiencing it and those trying to communicate with them. It is considered a negative symptom of schizophrenia, alongside others like apathy, anhedonia, and avolition. Treatment for alogia often focuses on addressing the underlying condition.